Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Sikh, Muslim -- what's the difference for Obama?

An interesting and quirky story today, in which we find that President Obama has decided NOT to visit a Sikh temple while in India, supposedly because stupid Americans might think Obama is a Muslim:

Revered by Indians of all faiths, it is a cherished emblem of India’s religious diversity. So it was no surprise when the gold-plated marvel was touted as the likely third stop on President Obama’s visit to India, scheduled for early November.

Religious diversity -- that was probably the first strike against them in Obama's mind.

the plan appears to have foundered on the thorny question of how Mr. Obama would cover his head, as Sikh tradition requires, while visiting the temple.

“To come to golden temple he needs to cover his head,” said Dalmegh Singh, secretary of the committee that runs the temple. “That is our tradition. It is their problem to cover the head with a Christian hat or a Muslim cap.”

And while it doesn't say so in the article, it appears you could also where a jewish headcovering, and the article says most people just tie a kerchief around their heads.

Now, Sikhism is NOT Islam. But occasionally, Sikh's in this country are confused for Muslims:

Sikhs in the United States have often been mistaken for Muslims. Sikhism, which arose in the Punjab region in the 15th century, includes elements of Hinduism and Islam but forms a wholly distinct faith. Since Sept. 11, 2001, Sikhs in the United States have been occasional targets of anti-Muslim discrimination and violence — a Sikh was killed in Arizona a few days after the attack on the World Trade Center by a man who mistook him for a Muslim.

Given this history, it is sad that our President is so concerned about his PERSONAL APPEARANCE that he is willing to contribute to the ignorance of others, and play into their prejudices, by refusing to enter the Sikh temple because he is afraid someone might think he is a Muslim:

“We have worked so hard to establish in America that Sikhs have a very different identity than Muslims,” Mr. Phoolka said. “It is very unfortunate that even the White House is conveying the message that there is no difference between Muslims and Sikhs.”

But Obama, more than any President I can ever remember, is a self-centered, self-absorbed narcisist who would put his own reputation above all else, even one of those "teachable moments". Seriously, what great harm is it if some people refuse to believe Obama when he says he is a Christian? So what if some people think he is Muslim? How does that really harm him?

But rather than do the right thing, and show respect to India and demonstrate our own country's tolerance of free expression and differing religions, Obama has chosen to slight the Sikh faith, perpetuate the myth that Sikh's and Muslims are alike, and once again make our country look foolish -- all to protect his own reputation:

Mr. Obama, a Christian, has struggled to fend off persistent rumors that he is a Muslim,

Oddly, by refusing to enter a Sikh temple, Obama is actually contributing to the rumors that he is a Muslim. Because the two faiths have had a sometimes unfriendly relationship, while Christians have no problem entering a Sikh temple.

Many Presidents have taken into account how their actions would reflect on America and it's principles. Obama on the other hand regularly takes actions that reflect poorly on our country -- it's his personal appearance that he cares about, not the country he represents. And once again, he has embarrased our nation for no good reason.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is wrong but I would say Bush did more to destroy your nation than Obama ever will. At least he hasn't started any new wars.
Lobbyists do control their actions and he is trying.

Anonymous said...

Americans just dont know about the world. All the see is the distorted news they see on their distorted channels like CNN and Fox News.
There are 200 other nations and many other religions and languages.

Anonymous said...

I love fox news....

Anonymous said...

"... supposedly because stupid Americans might think Obama is a Muslim: . . ."

Silly thing to write.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous at 6:20, Bush did not start two wars. Muslims started it as they are doing in pretty much every country they consider Dar al-Harb.

Obama's actions are to bring the US down starting with quadrupling Bush's debt, alienating allies, and getting cozy with the enemies.

Unknown said...

Anonymous at 6:20, enjoying life with the dowry you collected for marrying the women that you mom selected. Who is the stupid here?

Anonymous said...

Everyone knows Hussein Obama is a card-carrying moslem.

He need to put on his skull cap, keep the peace, and enter the building.

Unknown said...

I have a slighty different take on this and maybe both have a bit of the truth. I think that Obama wants to avoid the temple because he is afraid of what his Muslim friends will think, like entering a synagogue. As you said, the Sikhs are no friend of the Muslims and a great deal of blood has been spilled over religious differences in that part of the world.

Anonymous said...

Obama has lost Americans for good. His socialism is dying on the vine. If you don't believe me, watch the vitriolic comments that follow this post. Desperation in the face of the now-awake majority in America breeds name-calling and nonsensical political correct lecturing.

Anonymous said...

Sikhs Holy Book is wrritten directly by the Hands of the GuRu's!

NO! Guru does not mean teacher as it does when from Hindi languare.

No! In Sikhs case GuRu is a compound word not from Hindi but from Sanskrit the mother language of English and all Europe = It means "The Light that dispells the Darkness!

Gu= Light
Ru= Darkness

So a Sikh Guru is exactly the Massaih of Christians equal.

Sikhs belive God is our father and our Mother. Christians belive 3 men in one trinity. This is the biggest difference.

Women love Sikh faith cause it in Holy words states Equal period cause God is both our mother and father!

OBAMA is a Muslim for sure why else will he fear going to a Sikh Temple.

All Christians and Buddists and Jews can visit or attend any Sikh Temple and enjoy the nutritious expensive but free to eat food after Universal Prayers and hyms!

But Muslims by Islamic Law are forbiden to go to a Church or Temple period.

So Obama is Muslim so he can not go to a Sikh or Buddist Temple!

Anonymous said...

Sikh is different from Muslim? So why is Pakistan trying to claim the Punjab? What would be the basis of their claim?

Anonymous said...

Obama is a sad human with no morals and no self respect or honor. Those that voted for him are either blind or just plane empty shells! And to the mongoloid that claimed Bush started a war, Pull your head from you a$$ and remember that it was those cowardly and honorless DB's that started the war not Bush! Stop letting MSNBC tell you how to think and go find the truth yourself, or at least stop talking when other people can hear you! You’re embarrassing yourself!

Anonymous said...

To anonymous @ 629pm: In 1931 Winston Churchill warned the British Prime Minister and other leaders in Europe that Hitler was violating treaties signed after WWI, he was building an army, etc. The response was that they could not remove a legally elected leader from office without hard evidence. (Sound familiar?) Unfortunately, by the time they got their evidence, it was too late. more than 10 MILLION people died in WWII. Should Bush have waited until someone actually managed to get a nuke into NYC? He had intel, AND he had people accusing him of ignoring intel that would have prevented 9-11. I, for one, am grateful he had the cajones to act. The only reason we have not had another serious attack is because we are keeping them distracted and disorganized.

Anonymous said...

President Obama is definitely NOT a Christian. His actions have proven that. It doesn't matter what he says or what is reported about him to be true. Truth displays itself louder than words in our actions. By his actions, President Obama has proven himself not to be Christian. I could proclaim that I am the Queen of England, but that doesn't make it so.

Anonymous said...

Just FYI about Sikhism, Sikhs always see other person as human beings who has GOD inside them no matter what religion he is from because Sikh respect the fact there is only one GOD and is inhibited by all individuals, thats why if you know a little history about Sikhs, they never attacked any one or any nation. Infact Mughal Rulers attacked Sikhs to convert them to muslims but Sikhs know how to defend themself thats why Sikhs always won.

I dont know why Obama didn't go in the Sikh Temple, because everybody is allowed in Sikh Temple with all respect as long as they agree to cover their head with something and thats only to respect the Holy Book "Guru Granth Sahib Ji", and doesn't metter which religion you are from, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Cristian or anyone from the whole world everyone is welcome, because The Holy Book is not only for Sikhs, anyone can read it and gain knowledge, a lotsssssss of knowledge. Obama should have gone to the temple for his own good not as a president but as a human being.

Anonymous said...

When someone is born ,can a muslim hindu sikh christian recognise that if the baby is a sikh,hindu,christian or muslim.
We decide the religion by appearence
We get the religion from our family

Above all we are born human without any religion.THe creator is one,path to him is different for everyone.
(sorry for bad english)